As provided in Rule 33-8a, the Committee may make and publish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policies established in this Appendix. In addition, detailed information regarding acceptable and prohibited Local Rules is provided in “Decisions on the Rules of Golf” under Rule 33-8 and in “Guidance on Running a Competition”.

en

b.“Preferred Lies” and “Winter Rules” Ground under repair is provided for in Rule 25, and occasional local abnormal conditions that might interfere with fair play and are not widespread should be defined as ground under repair. However, adverse conditions, such as heavy snows, spring thaws, prolonged rains or extreme heat can make fairways unsatisfactory and sometimes prevent use of heavy mowing equipment. When these conditions are so general throughout a course that the Committee believes “preferred lies” or “winter rules” would promote fair play or help protect.

In this, my last newsletter as President I want to thank all of you for the support and good wishes in the last two years. It has been a great privilege to serve in this capacity. The dedication and friendship of the other members of the NMC made it a pleasure.

May 2018 bring all those things that we hope and pray for.

We live in exciting times. Climate change is a reality for us in the Cape. There is a fresh new breeze in our political landscape. As individuals and as an organisation we need to adapt to changed circumstances. (Elfie is planning to put a video on the website to show our members how to shower with 2 liters of water – not for sensitive viewers!).

For us in SAGES the poor economic conditions have hit many golfers hard. Our duty is to work harder to stretch our members’ rands, and to ensure that we give them a rich variety of golfing experiences. Make it a priority to select committees with energy and vision – people that want to work for the good of the members.

National Tournament

With the Sanlam SAGES National Championship hosted by Highveld SAGES this year from 16-20 April, we wish them well with the significant effort of running one of the largest annual tournaments in South Africa. With a number of cool and grey heads involved on their organising committee, we believe it will be a great and happy event.

I repeat my request to our branches to select only golfers of integrity, with handicaps that are consistent and realistic with their golfing prowess.

Annual General Meeting

National management committee (NMC) Our national secretary, Elfie Alston, has called for nominations for members of the national management committee, whose current members can be re-elected each year. After 2 years as President, I join the past Presidents section. The other members of the NMC have been nominated (Alec Dixon as president). Both Trevor Woollett and Elfie Alston are prepared to maintain their portfolios. Branches are free to nominate SAGES members for any position. At the very least we will need to look for another vice-president. A nomination form has been designed to guide branches in the nomination process. It is has been distributed by the national secretary.

Motions

Branches are requested to propose motions for consideration by the Executive at the AGM.

Something that has been bothering the NMC for a while is the SAGES “rule” that we always allow placing within one club length. Why do we want to scratch where it is not itching? Because it is not allowed in the rules of golf!

Preferred lies fall under local rules made by golf clubs to cope with abnormal conditions. SAGES do not have the power to change the local rules on a golf course. If we permit a one club length placing, we are not playing the course as it is, like everyone else. We should probably by rights record a N/R for anyone who makes use of our concession! Should a course be in a poor condition, our SAGES organisers should encourage the golf clubs to mark areas as GUR, or to establish a temporary local rule to cope with the abnormal conditions.

From the R&A Rules:

As provided in Rule 33-8a, the Committee may make and publish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policies established in this Appendix. In addition, detailed information regarding acceptable and prohibited Local Rules is provided in “Decisions on the Rules of Golf” under Rule 33-8 and in “Guidance on Running a Competition”.

and

b. “Preferred Lies” and “Winter Rules”

Ground under repair is provided for in Rule 25, and occasional local abnormal conditions that might interfere with fair play and are not widespread should be defined as ground under repair.

However, adverse conditions, such as heavy snows, spring thaws, prolonged rains or extreme heat can make fairways unsatisfactory and sometimes prevent use of heavy mowing equipment. When these conditions are so general throughout a course that the Committee believes “preferred lies” or “winter rules” would promote fair play or help protect the course, the following Local Rule (which should be withdrawn as soon as conditions warrant) is recommended:

“A ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green (or specify a more restricted area, e.g. at the 6th hole) may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within (specify area, e.g. six inches, one club-length, etc.) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

In the light of the above, the NMC will submit a motion that we do away with this unwritten concession of preferred lies within one club length.

New rules

In 2019 the proposed changes in the golf rules come about. You are encouraged to visit randa.org and study their explanations of the new rules.

Stuur jul insette asb direk aan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We willgladly publish your newsletters (see the Newsletters link at the top of the page) .

For further SAGES information or queries please contact the National SecretaryElfie Alston, Cell phone 082 775 0827, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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